For the first time in its history, the WNBA saw a billion-dollar figure in its broadcast deal in 2024, signing a $2.2 billion, 11-year deal with Disney, NBCUniversal, and Amazon. That same year, the league welcomed rookies Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese. Two seasons later, that deal has expanded to $3.1 billion after signing USA Sports and renewing deals with Scripps and Paramount. Basketball legend Nancy Lieberman credited Reese and Clark’s fan bases for the growth. However, analyst Ben Daniels believes Clark was the real catalyst.

“The $2.2 billion deal with marketing rights doesn’t happen. This new CBA deal doesn’t happen. We don’t really need to attach Angel Reese to this,” Daniels said on his YouTube channel while reviewing the latest episode of the Pete Sousa Show featuring the first woman to coach a men’s professional team in any sport.

“I know you want to be nice, Nancy, but Caitlin Clark is by herself. Angel Reese’s fans are social media fans who follow and like pictures. They’re not the people who show up, sell out arenas, buy jerseys, sit down in their living rooms, and watch the games. That’s not that fan base.”

Since 2024, the duo has featured in some of the WNBA’s most-watched games, but not on every platform. Last year, Ion aired eight Fever games, and only one featured Clark, which was the network’s most-watched game of the year (1.25 million). The Non-Fever games averaged close to half of the viewership.

In jersey sales, Caitlin Clark was reported to have the second-most in the entire country regardless of the sport, only behind Stephen Curry. While Reese’s numbers are unknown, they are very likely below Clark based on this reporting. In terms of attendance, the Fever has been among the most-attended teams since 2024, averaging more than 16,500 fans. 

On the other hand, the Sky averaged approximately 9,000 fans in a 10,000-capacity Wintrust Arena (two Fever games at the United Airlines Center) last year. The Dream are currently averaging 7,261 fans a game. An important thing to note is that their regular Gateway Center seats only 3500. Two of their Fever games were moved to the State Farm Arena. 

What Reese has ahead of Clark is social media numbers. She has 5.2 million followers on Instagram and 741.7K on X. Reese also hosts a podcast with 163k subscribers. On the other hand, Clark’s Instagram follower count lags at 3.2 million, and her X sits at 612k. In addition, Reese has garnered wider viewership beyond basketball for her modeling gigs with Victoria’s Secret and multiple movie appearances. 

Clark, on the other hand, has been more basketball-focused in her brand building. So, the popularity contest and impact can be argued between the two. But there is a valid case that Clark contributed more to the broadcast deal thanks to the available data. 

In addition, a broadcast deal is not necessarily based on past numbers. But the future as well. It factors in predicted growth, demographics, the league’s cultural rise, and more. It may be safe to say that Reese, who is currently averaging a career-high 14.9 points and 11.8 rebounds per game, will eventually help drive that growth.